What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

In-house lawyers have been protagonists in ADM’s sustainable growth strategy.

We led relevant acquisitions and M&A transactions that have allowed ADM to consolidate its position in the agribusiness market related to grains (where ADM traditionally operates as a leader) and in human and animal nutrition markets.

Plant Plus Foods produces and distributes high quality plant-based products and was born from the coming-together of two giants in the food industry: ADM, a global leader in nutrition with more than 75 years of alternative protein innovation and Marfrig, world’s largest hamburger producer.

The ADM legal team has also had a fundamental role in venture capital investment within start-up companies. For example, the Grão Direto investment, which is considered one the most promising digital grain marketplaces in the world. The direct connection with the Chicago Stock Exchange (CME group) and the solutions offered throughout a 100% digital negotiation process, allows impressive grains negotiation results and volumes already achieved by the platform.

ADM legal has also supported investments in the logistics sector related to a digital solution called Carguero. Carguero shall offer solutions not only to the transportation of agricultural products but will expand its capacity to achieve other markets that use road freight transport services at national level, which are essential to the daily operations.

In-house lawyers also perform a solid management and preventive work regarding litigation in tax.

Did the pandemic lead to a lasting increase in the interaction your legal team has with the strategic plans of the company?

As ADM is a company that performs essential activities, it had to maintain the food supply chain during the pandemic period.

Legal interaction has increased in all business areas and functions, covering strategic decisions regarding home office, medical coverage, health and safety protocols and vaccination discussions.

Overall, during the pandemic period, legal intensified its protagonist role reinforcing the relationship with all company’s business and strategic areas.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

The legal team believes that it is essential to partner with law firms that are aligned with ADM core values.

To do so, we maintain close, transparent, and frequent communication with our external partners, encouraging them to implement relevant initiatives related to the core values.

The legal team developed an assessment of partner law firms that evaluates not only technical aspects and services quality, but also maps D&I and core values. Twice a year we meet our partners to offer clear and accurate feedback about the results. The assessment goal is to contribute positively to the development of our partners in such areas.